Decorative gift bag insert

ABSTRACT

A device for enhancing the appearance and physical stability of a gift bag, including a pair of elongated flat members, an elongated support member connected between the respective elongated flat members, and a decoration having a first compressed storage configuration and a second decompressed actuated configuration and connected to the elongated support member. The pair of elongated flat members may be oriented generally perpendicular to the elongated support member and generally parallel to each other to define a bag-insertion configuration and inserted into a bag having a generally rectangular bottom panel and oppositely disposed parallel sides extending therefrom such that each respective flat member is positioned adjacent a respective oppositely disposed side panel. The decoration may be opened into the decompressed actuated configuration.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present novel technology relates generally to the field of paper products and, more particularly, to a structurally supportive insert for gift bags and having a decorative top portion extending therefrom.

BACKGROUND

Gifts are traditionally given on various occasions, such as holidays and birthdays. Traditionally, such gifts are festively wrapped. Recently, there has been a trend to insert gifts into decorative gift bags instead of individually wrapping them. Thus trend has really caught on with several demographic groups of gift buyers (men). However, in order to conceal the gift items in the bag, a top layer of wadded tissue paper must likewise be inserted. While not unattractive, such paper must be purchased along with the gift bag, since members of the aforementioned demographic group (men) typically do not own tissue paper suitable for gift bag purposes. Further, the options for filling the bag are typically limited to paper wadding, with gauzy white tissue paper being the premier paper wadding choice. Further, paper wadding does not provide much interior support to keep the bag from crumpling during transport, unless the paper wadding is inserted in such amounts as to render its decorative properties moot.

Thus, there remains a need for a complementary gift bag insert material that provides both decoration and structural support for the bag. The present invention addresses this need.

SUMMARY

The present novel technology relates generally to an insert for a gift bag that provides both structural and decorative support. One object of the present novel technology is to provide an improved gift bag system. Related objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment gift bag support assembly of the present novel technology, shown as deployed in a gift bag environment (shown in phantom) and with a honeycomb paper bow decoration.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, shown as deployed in a gift bag environment (shown in phantom).

FIG. 3A is a side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the legs extended parallel to the support member and the decoration collapsed.

FIG. 3B is a side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the legs extended parallel to the support member and the decoration expanded.

FIG. 3C is a front elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment gift bag support assembly of the present novel technology, shown as deployed in a gift bag environment (shown in phantom) and with a honeycomb paper football decoration.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment gift bag support assembly of the present novel technology, shown as deployed in a gift bag environment (shown in phantom) and with a plurality of honeycomb paper bow decorations.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a forth embodiment gift bag support assembly of the present novel technology, shown as deployed in a gift bag environment (shown in phantom) and having a honeycomb paper hat decoration matched to a face decoration present on the bag.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment gift bag support assembly of the present novel technology, shown as deployed in a gift bag environment (shown in phantom) and having a hat decoration matched to a face decoration present on the bag.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment gift bag support assembly of the present novel technology, shown as deployed in a gift bag environment (shown in phantom) and having paper hair decoration matched to a face decoration present on the bag.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment gift bag support assembly of the present novel technology, shown as deployed in a gift bag environment (shown in phantom) and with a flat decoration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the novel technology and presenting its currently understood best mode of operation, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the novel technology is thereby intended, with such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device and such further applications of the principles of the novel technology as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the novel technology relates.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a first embodiment of the present novel technology, a gift bag system 10 including decorative and supportive insert 20 that provides stability of the gift bag 30 while also providing a decorative top closure 40 for preventing a gift recipient from prematurely viewing a gift contained therein.

The insert 20 is typically an elongated and relatively wide thin flat member generally having a flattened ‘U’ shape. In other words, the insert 20 typically includes a generally flat central member or portion 45, from the ends 47 of which extend a pair of spaced elongated flat members 50. The members 50 are typically spaced from each other and are parallel to each other, typically meeting the central member 45 at right angles. The insert 20 is typically made of stiff cardboard or plastic, more typically with joints or hinges formed at the ends of the central portion 47, but may be made of any convenient structural material.

The central portion 45 also includes a decoration 60 attached thereto, which together define the decorative top closure 40. The decoration 60 is typically an expandable or ‘honeycomb’ type paper decoration. The decoration 60 is typically fixedly connected at one end 63 to the central portion 45 and more typically expands outwardly to form a fully opened decorative member, connecting at the other end 67 to the central portion 45. In one embodiment, the decoration 60 is a paper bow (see FIGS. 1-3C, while in other embodiments, the decoration 60 may have the shape of a football (FIG. 4), a plurality of paper bows (FIG. 5), a hat (FIG. 6), or the like.

While the decoration 60 as described above is an expandable honeycomb paper decoration (or ‘paper spring’), the decoration 60 is not limited to such a form and may be of any convenient shape and construction.

In operation, the elongated flat members or support legs 50 are pivoted downwardly away from the central portion 45 to define a generally U-shaped support structure 20. The support structure 20 is positioned inside the bag 30 and typically extends to the bottom panel. The legs 50 are of sufficient length so that when deployed in the bag 30, the central portion 45 is positioned near or just below the top of the bag 30, such that the decoration 60 extends upwardly out of the bag 30. Typically, the central portion 45 is positioned substantially flush with the top of the bag 30, or just below the top of the bag 30.

The support legs 50 serve the function of positioning the central portion 45 near the top of the bag 30 and assisting the bag 30 to maintain its shape by effectively reinforcing the sides of the bag 30. Typically, the bag 30 has a rectangular cross-section, and more typically includes a rectangular base panel 30A and two pairs of spaced and generally parallel panels 30B, 30C extending therefrom, each respective pair 30B, 30C oriented generally perpendicularly to one another, and intersecting with each other to define an interior volume 30D. Typically, one pair of panels 30B (front and back panels) is wider than the other pair of panels 30C (side panels). Thus, the bag 30 is encouraged to maintain a generally rectangular ‘present box’ appearance, which is accentuated by the decoration 60 on top.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the present novel technology, a decorative gift packaging system 10′ including a decorative and supportive insert 20 as described above operationally connected to a matchingly decorated gift bag 30′. The insert 20 and gift bag 30′ are artistically coordinated such that the combination of the two 20, 30′ yields a visually pleasing effect. In this example, the insert 20 includes a paper ball cap decoration 60 having an overhanging bill 70 and the bag 30′ includes a picture of a ball player's face 75 printed thereupon, such that the combination of decoration 60 and bag 30′ yields an overall impression of a ballplayer wearing a ball cap. In other embodiments, the combination of decoration 60 and bag picture 75 may give the impression of a fireman wearing a fireman's hat, an astronaut wearing a space helmet, a vase with flowers extending therefrom, a cake with candles on top, or the like.

FIG. 7 illustrates still another embodiment of the present novel technology, a decorative gift packaging system 10″ similar to that described above regarding FIG. 6, but having an actual ball cap 60′ instead of a honeycomb paper ball cap-shaped decoration. The system 10″ still includes supportive insert 20 as described above and operationally connected to a matchingly decorated gift bag 30′. The insert 20 and gift bag 30′ are still artistically coordinated such that the combination of the two 20, 30′ yields a visually pleasing effect. In this example, the insert 20 includes a ball cap 60′ having an overhanging bill 70 and the bag 30′ includes a picture of a ball player's face 75 printed thereupon, such that the combination of decoration 60′ and bag 30′ yields an overall impression of a ballplayer wearing a ball cap, but in this case the ball cap 60′ may be later removed and used as headwear. In other embodiments, the decoration 60′ may be any kind of headwear.

FIG. 8 illustrates yet another embodiment of the present novel technology, a decorative gift packaging system 10′″ similar to that described above regarding FIG. 6, but with the decoration portion 20 being paper streamers intended to resemble hair. The system 10′″ still includes supportive insert 20 as described above and operationally connected to a gift bag 30′, decorated herein with a face 75. Again, the insert 20 and gift bag 30′ are generally artistically coordinated such that the combination of the two 20, 30′ yields a visually pleasing effect. In this example, the insert 20 includes streamer hair 60 and the bag 30′ includes humorous face 75 printed thereupon, such that the combination of decoration 60′ and bag 30′ yields an overall impression of a funny-looking person.

FIG. 9 illustrates a variation of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, a system 10 including a gift bag 30 with a supportive insert 20, but in this variation with a flat decoration 60 extending therefrom.

While the novel technology has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that the embodiments have been shown and described in the foregoing specification in satisfaction of the best mode and enablement requirements. It is understood that one of ordinary skill in the art could readily make a nigh-infinite number of insubstantial changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments and that it would be impractical to attempt to describe all such embodiment variations in the present specification. Accordingly, it is understood that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the novel technology are desired to be protected. 

I claim:
 1. A device for enhancing the appearance and physical stability of a gift bag, comprising: a pair of elongated flat members; an elongated support member connected between the respective elongated flat members; and a decoration connected to the elongated support member and having a first compressed storage configuration and a second expanded display configuration; wherein the pair of elongated flat members may be oriented generally perpendicular to the elongated support member and generally parallel to each other to define a bag-insertion configuration; wherein when positioned into the bag-insertion configuration, the pair of elongated flat members may be inserted into a bag having a generally rectangular bottom panel and oppositely disposed parallel sides extending therefrom such that each respective flat member is positioned adjacent a respective oppositely disposed side panel; wherein the decoration may be opened into the decompressed actuated configuration.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the elongated flat members are hingedly connected to the elongated support member.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the decoration is a compressible paper football.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the decoration is a compressible paper cap and wherein the decoration further includes a bill portion extending away from the elongated support member.
 5. A system for mechanically stabilizing and aesthetically enhancing a generally rectangular open-topped gift bag having a front panel, an opposing rear panel, two opposing side panels, and a bottom panel, comprising: an elongated top portion having a first end and a second end; a first elongated leg portion pivotably connected to the first end; a second elongated leg portion pivotably connected to the second end; and a decoration portion connected to the top portion; wherein pivoting the first leg portion and the second leg portion in a first direction defines a generally U-shaped support structure; wherein the decoration extends in a second direction generally opposite the first direction; and wherein the support structure is sized to fit into a gift bag with the first leg portion and the second leg portion positioned substantially adjacent respective opposing side panels, with the top portion positioned below the open top of the gift bag, and with the decoration portion extending above the open top of the gift bag.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the support structure is cardboard.
 7. The system of claim 5 wherein the decoration portion is a compressible paper honeycomb.
 8. The system of claim 7 wherein the decoration portion is a football.
 9. The system of claim 5 wherein the decoration portion is a cap and wherein the front panel includes a face.
 10. The system of claim 5 wherein the decoration is a plurality of paper streamers.
 11. A decorative gift bag system, comprising: a gift bag portion; and a bag insert portion operationally connected to the gift bag portion; wherein the gift bag portion further comprises: a generally rectangular base panel; a first pair of spaced first generally rectangular side panels extending from the base panel and oriented generally parallel to one another; and a second pair of spaced second generally rectangular side panels extending from the base panel and oriented generally parallel to one another and generally perpendicularly to the first pair of spaced first generally rectangular side panels; wherein the first and second pair of spaced respective generally rectangular side panels intersect to define a gift bag volume; wherein the bag insert portion further comprises: a pair of elongated flat members; an elongated support member connected between the respective elongated flat members; and a decoration connected to the elongated support member; wherein each respective elongated flat member is oriented generally perpendicular to the elongated support member and generally parallel to the other respective elongated flat member; wherein the pair of elongated flat members is positioned in the gift bag volume; wherein each respective elongated flat member is positioned adjacent a respective first generally rectangular side panel; and wherein the expanded decoration and elongated support member substantially obscure the contents of the bag.
 12. The system of claim 11 wherein the decoration is a honeycomb paper ball cap and wherein a respective side panel includes a picture of a baseball player's face.
 13. The system of claim 11 wherein the decoration is honeycomb paper headwear and wherein a respective side panel includes a picture of a person's face.
 14. The system of claim 11 wherein the decoration is a plurality of paper bows.
 15. The system of claim 11 wherein the decoration is a paper football.
 16. The system of claim 11 wherein the decoration is headwear and wherein a respective side panel includes a picture of a person's face.
 17. The system of claim 11 wherein the decoration is a plurality of paper streamers and wherein a respective side panel includes a picture of a person's face.
 18. The system of claim 11 wherein the decoration is a generally flat member. 